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Arterial stick

Blood sample - arterial

An arterial stick is the collection of blood from an artery for laboratory testing.

How the Test is Performed

Usually blood is drawn from an artery in the wrist. It may also be drawn from an artery on the inside of the elbow, groin, or other site. A heartbeat (pulse) is felt by pressing on the area above an artery. If blood is drawn at the wrist, thehealth care providerwill usually check the pulseto make sure blood is flowing into the hand from the main arteries in the forearm (radial and ulnar arteries).

Pulse

Aneedle is inserted. A small amount of anesthetic may be injected or applied before the needle is inserted.

Blood flows into a specialcollecting syringe.

The needle is removed after enough blood is collected.

Pressure is applied to the puncture site for 5 - 10 minutes to stop the bleeding. You will be checked during this time to make sure the bleeding stops.

How to Prepare for the Test

Preparation varies with the specific test performed.

How the Test Will Feel

Puncture of an artery may be more uncomfortable than puncture of a vein. This isbecause arteries are deeper than veins. Arteries alsohave thicker walls and have more nerves.

When the needle is inserted, there may be somediscomfort or pain. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

Why the Test is Performed

Blood transports oxygen, food, waste products, and other materials within the body. Blood also helps control body temperature, fluids, and the balance of acids and bases.

Blood is made up of a fluid portion (plasma) and a cellular portion. Plasma contains substances dissolved in the fluid. The cellular portion is made up mainly of red blood cells. But it also includes white blood cells and platelets.

Platelets

A platelet count is a test to measure how many platelets you have in your blood. Platelets help the blood clot. They are smaller than red or white ...

Because blood has many functions within the body, tests on the blood or its components may give valuable clues to helphealth care providersdiagnose many medical conditions.

Blood in the arteries (arterial blood) differs from blood in the veins (venous blood) mainly in its content of dissolved gases. Testing arterial blood shows the makeup of the blood before any of its contents are used by the body tissues.

Dissolved gases

Blood gases is a measurement of how much oxygen and carbon dioxide is in your blood. It also determines the acidity (pH) of your blood.

Normal Results

What Abnormal Results Mean

An arterial stick is done to get blood samples from arteries. Blood samples are mainly taken to measure gases in the arteris.Abnormal results may point tobreathing problems or problems with the body's metabolism. Sometimes arterial sticks are done to get blood culture or blood chemistry samples.

Breathing problems

Breathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathingUncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough air

Arterial blood sample - illustration

The pulse of an artery determines the location of an arterial stick. The primary reason for taking blood from an artery rather than a vein is to measure blood gases. Because arterial blood is oxygenated blood flowing directly from the heart, analysis of arterial blood can determine the chemistry of the blood before it is used by the tissues.

Arterial blood sample

illustration

Arterial blood sample - illustration

The pulse of an artery determines the location of an arterial stick. The primary reason for taking blood from an artery rather than a vein is to measure blood gases. Because arterial blood is oxygenated blood flowing directly from the heart, analysis of arterial blood can determine the chemistry of the blood before it is used by the tissues.